Joe's Juice NOT working

[lilredwuck]

This last round of aiptasia killing isn't going well. I hit some with the juice, may have just missed, but I tend to hit it, then smother it afterwards. It looks like I never even hit it. The other one that was huge, left a tiny transparent nub, and I think it is going to grow back. I also have one growing inside the back of my korila, which I don't want to take out as it has starfish, coraline, and corals growing on it. By the way, anyone want any Kenya trees?

[tspors]

2004 Post:
OK, here is my sure fire way, 100% success rate, never to return again method.

Use a saturated solution of Sodium Hydroxide (Drain Away, Draino, whatever you like to call it) and water. Using a syringe, squirt about 0.5 mL into the mouth of each aiptasia. This will kill even the stubborn foot tissue.

I initially used kalk paste like pies, by found that the success rate wasn't that great. Sodium Hydroxide is much more soluble than Calcium Hydroxide, and is more alkaline, completely nuking the aiptasia.

Again don't dose too much at one time. It is not harmful to your reef, unless you directly squirt it onto corals. Just a warning that Sodium Hydroxide will cause sever chemical burns if handled, you can tell if you have it on your hands 'cause they will feel "soapy" and slippery. If you feel your hands becoming slippery, wash with a LOT of cold water. Preferably wear gloves when handling.

As dangerous as the chemical sounds, it is really quite safe for your reef.

Draino is surprisingly pure sodium hydroxide, and is really no more dangerous to your tank than calcium hydroxide (kalk). Any tank with a reasonable alkalinity (greater than 2.6) should have no problems adding it. The hydroxide ion reacts relativly quickly with dissolved carbon dioxide producing, there are also other mechanisms for the neutralisation of the free hydroxide. Which reaction is most significant is determined by the pH.

2(OH)- + 2CO2 ---> H20 + 2(CO3)2-

The only difference between this and the kalk method is the spectator ion (Ca2+ as opposed to Na+).
Kalk will do the same thing to your hand as sodium hydroxide, at a much much slower rate.

If anything this method is easier on the fish, I had problems with fish eating, or trying to eat the white kalk paste. I for one wouldn't like a mouth full of kalk. The sodium hydroxide method is much safer in that it is completely soluble, such that any solution which doesn't make it into the aiptasia, is quikly netralised by surrounding water by the above reaction, and no solid remains to be eaten by fish.

[lilredwuck]

ok so I just buy draino? Then mix it with water? What ratio would I use, and how much would be save to use at one time?

[Chi6488]

why torture yourself. Pull the rock out with the aiptasia and nuke it with a lighter for 10 seconds.
.

[brycerb]

Originally Posted by Chi6488

why torture yourself. Pull the rock out with the aiptasia and nuke it with a lighter for 10 seconds.
.

Screw a lighter use a propane torch and know its dead.

[Pickupman66]

WOW! didnt know that aobut Drano. either way, it makes me nervous.... I have used a home made recipe with great success.

1 tbsp of pickling lime (mrs wages)
enough RO water to make it like toothpaste
1/4 tsp of powdered red pepper
few drops of hot sauce.

mix it up and microwave till bubbly hot.
remove and add a bit of water to keep it like a toothpaste. load it in to a syringe and squirt a drop in their mouths. they will be doornail dead in a matter of minutes and will melt away.

I have used this for years and it will nuke anything from GSP, mojanos, aptasia and even pavona and just about anythign else it gets on. I actually just made some the toher day for 2 aptasia that came in hidded amongst some Zoa's. nuked it out sunday night and as of wed you could not tell the aptasia was there...

[Nanz]

Originally Posted by tspors

2004 Post:
OK, here is my sure fire way, 100% success rate, never to return again method.

Use a saturated solution of Sodium Hydroxide (Drain Away, Draino, whatever you like to call it) and water. Using a syringe, squirt about 0.5 mL into the mouth of each aiptasia. This will kill even the stubborn foot tissue.

I initially used kalk paste like pies, by found that the success rate wasn't that great. Sodium Hydroxide is much more soluble than Calcium Hydroxide, and is more alkaline, completely nuking the aiptasia.

Again don't dose too much at one time. It is not harmful to your reef, unless you directly squirt it onto corals. Just a warning that Sodium Hydroxide will cause sever chemical burns if handled, you can tell if you have it on your hands 'cause they will feel "soapy" and slippery. If you feel your hands becoming slippery, wash with a LOT of cold water. Preferably wear gloves when handling.

As dangerous as the chemical sounds, it is really quite safe for your reef.

Draino is surprisingly pure sodium hydroxide, and is really no more dangerous to your tank than calcium hydroxide (kalk). Any tank with a reasonable alkalinity (greater than 2.6) should have no problems adding it. The hydroxide ion reacts relativly quickly with dissolved carbon dioxide producing, there are also other mechanisms for the neutralisation of the free hydroxide. Which reaction is most significant is determined by the pH.

2(OH)- + 2CO2 ---> H20 + 2(CO3)2-

The only difference between this and the kalk method is the spectator ion (Ca2+ as opposed to Na+).
Kalk will do the same thing to your hand as sodium hydroxide, at a much much slower rate.

If anything this method is easier on the fish, I had problems with fish eating, or trying to eat the white kalk paste. I for one wouldn't like a mouth full of kalk. The sodium hydroxide method is much safer in that it is completely soluble, such that any solution which doesn't make it into the aiptasia, is quikly netralised by surrounding water by the above reaction, and no solid remains to be eaten by fish.

Excellent post!

[Chi6488]

Originally Posted by brycerb

Screw a lighter use a propane torch and know its dead.

I did use a torch. I have one of those small ones for heat shrink tubing to do electrical work on my boat and trailer.

Not everyone has a small torch like that

[Dwyer]

aiptasia x worked for me.

[lilredwuck]

Have you seen my tank?? There are a ton of sponges everywhere. I can't simply pull out the rock!

[sedor]

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh...php?p=17057959
I don't know about the whole draino thing. I'd definitely be careful.

[fishmonger007]

was having the same issue - thanks for the tips!

[Jstdv8]

Originally Posted by Pickupman66

WOW! didnt know that aobut Drano. either way, it makes me nervous.... I have used a home made recipe with great success.

1 tbsp of pickling lime (mrs wages)
enough RO water to make it like toothpaste
1/4 tsp of powdered red pepper
few drops of hot sauce.

mix it up and microwave till bubbly hot.
remove and add a bit of water to keep it like a toothpaste. load it in to a syringe and squirt a drop in their mouths. they will be doornail dead in a matter of minutes and will melt away.

I have used this for years and it will nuke anything from GSP, mojanos, aptasia and even pavona and just about anythign else it gets on. I actually just made some the toher day for 2 aptasia that came in hidded amongst some Zoa's. nuked it out sunday night and as of wed you could not tell the aptasia was there...

This is an excellent recipe except in no way do you need the hot sauce, red peppers or the heat. just mix up some Pickling lime until its like toothpaste and apply it over the face of the pest.
wait 30 mins to 45 mins and then suck out the pest with a turkey baster and dispose.